Circular bioeconomy in Europe

Climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity and a steady rise in the world’s population pose major challenges for society. Achieving a more sustainable way of life and a more sustainable economy requires not only a timely energy and agricultural transition but also a timely raw materials transition. The circular bioeconomy makes an important contribution to this through its technologies, products and knowledge.

In the Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field Bioeconomy, scientists from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are investigating biological systems and combining their findings with ingenious technologies in order to develop groundbreaking innovations for a sustainable, bio-based economy. They are working to make material flows, materials, structures and the principles of nature utilizable in technology and applying them in production cycles and in specific products.

“Bio-based plastics have enormous potential. Our research and development activities to expand the material property profile and processing of biopolymers are helping to unlock the benefits of plastics for a sustainable economy and way of life.”

Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker, Co-spokesperson for the Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field Bioeconomy and Director of Fraunhofer IAP

On September 20, 2023, scientists from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft took part in virtual discussions with around 60 participants in Brussels and other interested parties to understand how applied research can support the market penetration of the bioeconomy while meeting ecological and socio-economic requirements. The workshop was jointly organized and moderated by the Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field Bioeconomy and the Fraunhofer EU Office in Brussels.

Combining the bioeconomy with ecological and social challenges

Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and Dr. Markus Wolperdinger, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB began by presenting the Fraunhofer roadmap “Circular Bioeconomy”. Peter Wehrheim, head of the “Food Systems and Bioeconomy” Unit at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, emphasized in his presentation the places where the roadmap and the European bioeconomy strategy intersect: Both the EU Commission and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are pursuing a holistic approach that uses the scientific and technological potential of the bioeconomy to tackle economic, social and ecological challenges. The participants from European, federal and state politics, science and industry then discussed this approach in specialist workshops together with the Fraunhofer experts. The focus was on the areas of bioplastics, CO₂ value creation, food systems and the socio-economic aspects of the bioeconomy.

Bioplastics for the circular economy

In their introductory presentation at the “Bioplastics” workshop, Esther Stahl from the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and Dr. Bert Volkert and Dr. Daniel Zehm, both from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, emphasized the importance of circular concepts in transforming the linear value chains in the plastics industry. These include efficient recycling as well as the reuse and/or replacement of petroleum-based materials with bioplastics. The competitiveness of bio-based products and the regulatory framework associated with this – such as restrictions on fossil-based plastics and a lower carbon footprint – are crucial for this.

There is still a need for research and development in the area of processing technologies for bio-based plastics. This is where the EU project “VITAL - InnoVatIve processing Technologies for bio-based foAmed thermopLastics” comes in. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes IAP, IGB and ICT are working with industrial partners and other research and technology organizations to replace petrol-based thermoplastics with materials made from renewable raw materials. One focus of the Fraunhofer partners is the certification of bio-based polyamides for foam applications. The project thus contributes to a number of EU initiatives, in particular those relating to sustainable, economic growth.